Switching control system for automatically turning headlights off and on at intersections

• US 6,097,156 A
• Filed: 02/22/1999
• Issued: 08/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael T. Diep
• Original Assignee: Michael T. Diep
• Inventors: Diep, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vo, Tuyet T.
• Application Number:
  US09/256,501
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 315/82, 315/77, 315/78, 315/79, 315/80, 307/10.8, 307/10.6, 307/9.1, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 315/82
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/1415 Dimming circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/442 visible on the front side of the vehicle, e.g. for pedestrians

Abstract

The switching control system turns off the headlights of a vehicle when the vehicle'"'"'S brakes are applied and the vehicle is slowing down and possibly stopping at an intersection and turns the headlights on when the brakes are released. An auxiliary headlight switch turns the headlights on and off by processing signals from (1) the conductor which lights the brake lights and (2) an electrical signal from the speed indication system of the vehicle. The headlights are turned off when (1) the brakes are applied, sending power to the brake lights and (2) vehicle speed is below a designated level, as indicated by a unit which receives the speed signal and generates a signal when the speed is below the designated level. An indicator light is lit when the subject control switching is in effect. In an original equipment embodiment the control switching is powered by the fourth position on a 4 position headlight switch. In a retrofit embodiment, a separate switch enables the subject control switching and disables the conventional headlight circuit while the subject equipment is in use.

Claims

1. In a vehicle having headlights, brakes and the capability to operate in a range of speed, a switching control system comprising means for turning off said headlights when said speed is below a designated speed and said brakes are applied and for turning said lights on when said brakes are released.

2. The switching control system of claim 1 further comprising a light which indicates that said system is in use.

3. The switching control system of claim 1 in which said designated speed is adjustable.

4. The switching control system of claim 3 further comprising a light which indicates that said system is in use.

5. A switching control system for use in a vehicle having headlights, brakes and an indicator indicating speed, said system comprising:

means for providing a first electrical signal when said speed is below a designated speed,

means for generating a second electrical signal when said brakes are in use, and

means for turning said headlights on and off and for turning said headlights off when said first and second signals are applied to said means for turning said headlights on and off and turning said headlights on when at least one of said first and second signals is not applied to said means for turning said headlights on and off.

6. The switching control system of claim 5 further comprising a light which indicates that said system is in use.

7. The switching control system of claim 5 in which said designated speed is adjustable.

8. The switching control system of claim 7 further comprising a light which indicates that said system is in use.